End of the Rainbow (Mercury, Colchester & touring)

It is a great play I loved glorious too .... But after seeing this in Coventry sadly not suprised its cut short. ... It was ok ... Lisa maxwell worked hard but after seeing Tracy Bennett and Hilton InThe previous production sadly this was like a poor cousin

2 for 1 tickets available for Manchester. Quote code APRIL241. Tuesday to Friday only.

Saw this tonight. 

Lisa Maxwell had moments of brilliance. The characterisation was mainly good and occasionally stunning, but not sustained. It also veered into caricature several times, with the face pulling. Regarding her voice, I don't know if tonight was an off night but she could not hold the last note of any of the big numbers, leaving the music playing and the audience wondering when to start their applause. 

Sam Attwater, pretty good but lost the accent several times. 

Gary Wilmot. Might as well have been watching paint dry. Not surprised she snubs his proposal. 

As a piece of drama I enjoyed it, and can imagine how brilliant it might be with a great cast. The story is heart wrenching, abuse and self abuse. So sad. Someone should get Tracie Bennett to do it as a TV drama (with music!). 

Footnote: Lisa's wig was absolutely terrible. 

Back of stalls empty. Up at the front the premiums looked largely empty, people moved into them from the sides at curtain up and at the interval. Can't speak for upstairs. 

Hope you enjoy it, I'm pleased I went.

Lisa Maxwell was interviewed on 'Weekend' this morning on ITV, talking about End of the Rainbow, of course. Says she's got one week left, the summer off then they're "coming into town in the autumn". No official word yet, so I guess we'll just wait and see!

For what it's worth, I saw this in Bromley (didn't see the last version with Tracie Bennett but as it happens, her YouTube clips do absolutely nothing for me) and I thought the play was just brilliant and Lisa Maxwell was a complete and utter revelation as Judy Garland. I seriously could not praise her enough. Thought Sam Attwater was good enough, and I do enjoy watching Gary Wilmot but on the night I went, he stumbled over a couple of lines and interrupted Lisa's lines on more than one occasion. I thought the set was very classy and functioned so well. Was also a huge fan of the lighting - and also the band, even though it's pre-recorded and there isn't actually a band playing there live.

Also, it seems to be getting pretty glowing reviews wherever it goes. Some of the venue choices probably weren't wise - 1,800 seater at the Glasgow Kings?! I think this would be a good filler at somewhere small and intimate such as The Playhouse. I suspect it totally wouldn't work in a large space.

Well, you inspired me too look up TB's performance on YouTube and based on that Lisa was as good if not better. The problem with Tracie Bennet is that voice. You can never forget it's Tracie underneath.